My dog, my garden and neighbours cat

Buddy Bubs · 16-05-2021 10:55am #1

New neighbours moved in last few weeks, they brought a young cat with them, maybe halfway grown or whatever, I don't know much about how quickly cats grow. Anyway, there's plenty of cats around here and they steer well clear of my garden because my dogs absolutely hate them. Labradors, I believe the younger one would kill a cat if he ever got hold of one. Sweetest dogs you'll meet and play with kids all the time and any other dogs without even the slightest hint of aggression. Until a cat turns up.

To the point, this new neighbours cat is either young and naive or stupid and keeps coming into the garden. Even after being fairly intensely chased out.
There are birds often in my garden, dogs ignore them, but think that might be what attracts the cat! Dog nearly caught it the other day but it escaped through the railings, just about. I caught the end of the chase but I think the dog probably got hold of the tail slightly. So it was close.

I spoke to the new neighbours and told them their cat was coming into my garden, ordinarily it wouldn't bother me I don't hate cats, but I told them my fears their cat could be killed and I don't want to see that. But I'm also not keeping the dogs inside or watching them while they are outside. They're a nice couple with a young kid so they're not unapproachable or anything but their reaction was that I shouldn't have dogs that are capable of killing a cat. And they'd look for medical expenses and any other kind of compensation of anything happened.

Now this cat, like all cats will spend its time hunting mice and rats and is hanging around my garden because of birds I believe. So its a circle of life.

If the dogs are out and the cat is free to roam, if anything happens on my property am I in any way to blame? I don't even want the idea I'd be a good citizen and offer to pay any expenses.

BobbyBolivia · 16-05-2021 11:24am

It's a complicated situation in terms of legality but one where you'll almost certainly come out badly if anything were to happen.

Firstly, cats are protected animals under Irish law. Any act or any failure to act which harms or endangers any protected animal is against the law.

In terms of dogs, any attack by a dog on a human or livestock is against the Control of Dogs Act, there only needs to be proof that the attack happened. Cats are not specifically mentioned here.

The issue for you will certainly be that the dog would very likely be deemed as dangerous and not kept under proper control if they killed a cat. And it is very hard to disagree with that. Even if the cat was a complete stray and I saw a neighbours dog kill it I would be onto the warden immediately.

The warden (and more) would get involved if the neighbours made an official complaint and the possible consequences could be:

the Court may, in addition to any other penalty which it may impose, order that the dog be kept under proper control or be destroyed.

Either do one of two things the next time you see the cat in or around the garden, squirt it with a water bottle or a spray bottle filled with water or (at a low intensity) spray it with the hose. The cat will soon get the message that your garden is not a nice place.

Mimon · 16-05-2021 11:32am

BobbyBolivia wrote: »

It's a complicated situation in terms of legality but one where you'll almost certainly come out badly if anything were to happen.

Firstly, cats are protected animals under Irish law. Any act or any failure to act which harms or endangers any protected animal is against the law.

In terms of dogs, any attack by a dog on a human or livestock is against the Control of Dogs Act, there only needs to be proof that the attack happened. Cats are not specifically mentioned here.

The issue for you will certainly be that the dog would very likely be deemed as dangerous and not kept under proper control if they killed a cat. And it is very hard to disagree with that. Even if the cat was a complete stray and I saw a neighbours dog kill it I would be onto the warden immediately.

The warden (and more) would get involved if the neighbours made an official complaint and the possible consequences could be:

Either do one of two things the next time you see the cat in or around the garden, squirt it with a water bottle or a spray bottle filled with water or (at a low intensity) spray it with the hose. The cat will soon get the message that your garden is not a nice place.

Doesn't make sense at all that the OP could be responsible for the cat getting attacked in this case. It's the dog owners garden that the cat is coming into i.e. the dog is in a secure location on private property.

A lot of dogs will have predatory instinct, it's normal. Hopefully the cat will wise up and stop going there.

Timberrrrrrrr · 16-05-2021 11:37am

BobbyBolivia wrote: »

It's a complicated situation in terms of legality but one where you'll almost certainly come out badly if anything were to happen.

Firstly, cats are protected animals under Irish law. Any act or any failure to act which harms or endangers any protected animal is against the law.

In terms of dogs, any attack by a dog on a human or livestock is against the Control of Dogs Act, there only needs to be proof that the attack happened. Cats are not specifically mentioned here.

The issue for you will certainly be that the dog would very likely be deemed as dangerous and not kept under proper control if they killed a cat. And it is very hard to disagree with that. Even if the cat was a complete stray and I saw a neighbours dog kill it I would be onto the warden immediately.

The warden (and more) would get involved if the neighbours made an official complaint and the possible consequences could be:

Either do one of two things the next time you see the cat in or around the garden, squirt it with a water bottle or a spray bottle filled with water or (at a low intensity) spray it with the hose. The cat will soon get the message that your garden is not a nice place.

But the dogs are in a secure location and under control, the cat is entering the dogs territory.

wench · 16-05-2021 11:44am

The cat's owners have a responsibility to it's welfare, including keeping it properly contained.
You can't just buy a cat, let it roam free, and make it's welfare a problem for everyone else in your neighbourhood.

BobbyBolivia · 16-05-2021 11:46am

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

But the dogs are in a secure location and under control, the cat is entering the dogs territory.

Hey it's my own garden and the dog can do what he likes there! This line of reasoning is absolute nonsense.

If the dog kills the cat then I don't see how it justifiably won't be classed as dangerous by a warden or judge if needed be.

If the dog somehow managed to get hold of a bat that went onto the property it would be the exact same thing. Or a red squirrel, or a brown or mountain hare. Just because the dog is on your property and another animal enters the property doesn't mean a bloody thing. All of those are protected or endangered species and if I saw a dog killing one of them then the warden would be contacted.

theteal · 16-05-2021 11:48am

I would be absolutely shocked if the OP has any responsibility here. The dogs are secured in their own garden. The responsibility is on the cat owner surely (good luck with that, says I as a cat owner)

BobbyBolivia · 16-05-2021 11:52am

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

But the dogs are in a secure location and under control, the cat is entering the dogs territory.

The dog is clearly not under control if it is potentially killing protected animals.

16-05-2021 11:55am

BobbyBolivia wrote: »

Hey it's my own garden and the dog can do what he likes there! This line of reasoning is absolute nonsense.

If the dog kills the cat then I don't see how it justifiably won't be classed as dangerous by a warden or judge if needed be.

If the dog somehow managed to get hold of a bat that went onto the property it would be the exact same thing. Or a red squirrel, or a brown or mountain hare. Just because the dog is on your property and another animal enters the property doesn't mean a bloody thing. All of those are protected or endangered species and if I saw a dog killing one of them then the warden would be contacted.

That sounds ridiculous. The OP has said the dog is a good animal and safe with children etc.
If the cat ends up killed by the dog, which hopefully never happens, but if it does then because of your advice they should dispose of the cat's body quickly and not say anything, rather than risk their dog being put down.

The people have been told not to let their cat into the dog's rightful space - that is all that can be done to protect the cat.

I looked up a vets opinion -

"When an otherwise friendly backyard dog attacks cats who enter their yards, predatory aggression is typically assumed. This type of attack is wholly within the normal context of a predator-prey relationship. Sad as this may be for the cat’s human family, this kind of behavior is considered natural and normal."

Cheshire Cat · 16-05-2021 12:01pm

As somebody has said before, cats are protected. But that means that it is the owner's responsibility to ensure that the cat is well cared for and not getting into danger. It's certainly not the responsibility of the neighbours to protect the cat.
I love both cats and dogs, but ultimately the owners of the cat can't just shrug off their responsibility.

https://www.petethevet.com/the-legal-status-of-cats-in-ireland-pete-the-vet-on-newstalks-pat-kenny-show/

The Continental Op · 16-05-2021 12:03pm

If someone was to open a book my money would be on the cat.

I really have seen some nasty scars on dogs after they have pushed their luck with a cat.

Now not all cats defend themselves against a dog but those that do normally win.

BobbyBolivia · 16-05-2021 12:03pm

isha wrote: »

That sounds ridiculous. The OP has said the dog is a good animal and safe with children etc.
If the cat ends up killed by the dog, which hopefully never happens, but if it does then because of your advice they should dispose of the cat's body quickly and not say anything, rather than risk their dog being put down.

The people have been told not to let their cat into the dog's rightful space - that is all that can be done to protect the cat.

I looked up a vets opinion -

"When an otherwise friendly backyard dog attacks cats who enter their yards, predatory aggression is typically assumed. This type of attack is wholly within the normal context of a predator-prey relationship. Sad as this may be for the cat’s human family, this kind of behavior is considered natural and normal."

Where is the vet from? A vets opinion is utterly meaningless if the vet isn't from Ireland, and even then I'm not sure that a vet's opinion is remotely relevent in the context of the control of dogs act 1986.

Laws regarding cats differ wildly from country to country. In Australia for example the laws regarding cats are much different to here.

As I have stated, in this country, they are a protected animal.

Just like the other examples of animals I have given who could feasibly end up on a property where a dog is present, the dog does not have free reign to kill these animals. The dog would almost certainly be demanded to be kept under greater control by a warden (could mean an outdoor pen) - or far worse.

It seems the majority of the comments here are people saying what they hope would happen.

cruizer101 · 16-05-2021 12:03pm

BobbyBolivia wrote: »

The dog is clearly not under control if it is potentially killing protected animals.

So what if the cat wandered into the OP's house?
It is not unknown for cats to go into houses other than their own.
At what point do you draw the line?

If the neighbours want to protect their cat they should keep it in their house.

corollake35 · 16-05-2021 12:05pm

BobbyBolivia wrote: »

The dog is clearly not under control if it is potentially killing protected animals.

You can no more take the predator out of the dog than the cat. Your logic is fairly one sided. The cat owner is responsible for the cat straying onto neighbours safe area for their pet dogs.

Magno_DT · 16-05-2021 12:06pm

BobbyBolivia wrote: »

The dog is clearly not under control if it is potentially killing protected animals.

Where do you draw a line there though? What about a very small garden? Or what about a cage? Or what about a big cage? If the cat managed to find it's way to any of those in then the dog owner is responsible? In my view if a dog is securely within the boundary walls of its owner then it is under control.

Mimon · 16-05-2021 12:06pm

BobbyBolivia wrote: »

The dog is clearly not under control if it is potentially killing protected animals.

Ah here. The dog is in secure location, any animal with any sense their salt will realise not to come near.

16-05-2021 12:07pm

BobbyBolivia wrote: »

Where is the vet from? A vets opinion is utterly meaningless if the vet isn't from Ireland, and even then I'm not sure that a vet's opinion is remotely relevent in the context of the control of dogs act 1986.

Laws regarding cats differ wildly from country to country. In Australia for example the laws regarding cats are much different to here.

As I have stated, in this country, they are a protected animal.

Just like the other examples of animals I have given who could feasibly end up on a property where a dog is present, the dog does not have free reign to kill these animals. The dog would almost certainly be demanded to be kept under greater control by a warden (could mean an outdoor pen) - or far worse.

It seems the majority of the comments here are people saying what they hope would happen.

The point about the vet's opinion was not re local law - it was that dog's have an innate predatory instinct, which is considered normal.

BobbyBolivia · 16-05-2021 12:08pm

Cheshire Cat wrote: »

As somebody has said before, cats are protected. But that means that it is the owner's responsibility to ensure that the cat is well cared for and not getting into danger. It's certainly not the responsibility of the neighbours to protect the cat.
I love both cats and dogs, but ultimately the owners of the cat can't just shrug off their responsibility.

https://www.petethevet.com/the-legal-status-of-cats-in-ireland-pete-the-vet-on-newstalks-pat-kenny-show/

Sure, the owner has a legal responsibility toward the care and welfare of the cat.

However (and I don't know of any relevant case law) it is no secret that cats need outdoor time to protect from certain issues and ailments. They are natural outdoor animals. The neighbour could feasibly argue that it was in the best interest in the cats welfare to allow the cat access to the outdoors.

Don't get me wrong, I think all cat owners should have a mandatory catio type structure before owning a cat. An enclosed space where the cat has access to the outdoors without accessing other areas where they might be a nuisance.

However, there are a myriad of situations where a protected animal (not just cats, but hares and squirrels and more) can wander into a dogs property and I cannot see how the dog can be classified as under control if it is killing those animals. From my experience with wardens, I don't expect the warden would either.

Mimon · 16-05-2021 12:08pm

BobbyBolivia wrote: »

Where is the vet from? A vets opinion is utterly meaningless if the vet isn't from Ireland, and even then I'm not sure that a vet's opinion is remotely relevent in the context of the control of dogs act 1986.

Laws regarding cats differ wildly from country to country. In Australia for example the laws regarding cats are much different to here.

As I have stated, in this country, they are a protected animal.

Just like the other examples of animals I have given who could feasibly end up on a property where a dog is present, the dog does not have free reign to kill these animals. The dog would almost certainly be demanded to be kept under greater control by a warden (could mean an outdoor pen) - or far worse.

It seems the majority of the comments here are people saying what they hope would happen.

Horrible accusation.

BobbyBolivia · 16-05-2021 12:11pm

Mimon wrote: »

Horrible accusation.

No, the comment was based on the prevailing theme of commentary that the dog would be free from consequences and owners.

Not that people hope that the dog would actually kill the cat. Nowhere have I claimed that anybody is wishing for that.

Give over. There is only one of us talking sense in this thread, or with adequate knowledge of animal welfare and Irish animal laws and it certainly isn't you.

wench · 16-05-2021 12:11pm

My neighbours cat brings me a selection of small birds and animals it has killed. Should it also be put down?

Dr Turk Turkelton · 16-05-2021 12:12pm

BobbyBolivia wrote: »

It's a complicated situation in terms of legality but one where you'll almost certainly come out badly if anything were to happen.

Firstly, cats are protected animals under Irish law. Any act or any failure to act which harms or endangers any protected animal is against the law.

In terms of dogs, any attack by a dog on a human or livestock is against the Control of Dogs Act, there only needs to be proof that the attack happened. Cats are not specifically mentioned here.

The issue for you will certainly be that the dog would very likely be deemed as dangerous and not kept under proper control if they killed a cat. And it is very hard to disagree with that. Even if the cat was a complete stray and I saw a neighbours dog kill it I would be onto the warden immediately.

The warden (and more) would get involved if the neighbours made an official complaint and the possible consequences could be:

Either do one of two things the next time you see the cat in or around the garden, squirt it with a water bottle or a spray bottle filled with water or (at a low intensity) spray it with the hose. The cat will soon get the message that your garden is not a nice place.

Are songbirds protected by law and their nests?
If so could a case be taken against the cat owners for not keeping their dangerous animal under control and allowing it go on killing sprees daily and eating the eggs out of nests?

BobbyBolivia · 16-05-2021 12:13pm

wench wrote: »

My neighbours cat brings me a selection of small birds and animals it has killed. Should it also be put down?

If the cat is killing birds which are protected species then it is certainly a problem yes and action may need to be taken with the appropriate authorites.

The likes of woodmice are not a protected species so there would be no issue there.

POBox19 · 16-05-2021 12:13pm

You know know more about your new neighbours now!
The dogs were there first within their owners property. A cat arrives and decides to wander into the dogs space and gets chased out, cat learns just like the rest of the locals have.
There is no court in the land that will entertain litigation that a cat got what's coming if it goes in there again. Nothing to worry about.

Mimon · 16-05-2021 12:13pm

BobbyBolivia wrote: »

No, the comment was based on the prevailing theme of commentary that the dog would be free from consequences and owners.

Not that people hope that the dog would actually kill the cat. Nowhere have I claimed that anybody is wishing for that.

Give over. There is only one of us talking sense in this thread, or with adequate knowledge of animal welfare and Irish animal laws and it certainly isn't you.

You are not talking sense at all. From your posting you seem to have little understanding of animal behavior and are making up legal advice to suit your limited outlook.

BobbyBolivia · 16-05-2021 12:14pm

Dr Turk Turkelton wrote: »

Are songbirds protected by law and their nests?
If so could a case be taken against the cat owners for not keeping their dangerous animal under control and allowing it go on killing sprees daily and eating the eggs out of nests?

If you have proof that cats are attacking protected species then it is certainly something which needs to be addressed.

BobbyBolivia · 16-05-2021 12:16pm

Mimon wrote: »

You are not talking sense at all. From your posting you seem to have little understanding of animal behavior and are making up legal advice to suit your limited outlook.

Animal behaviour?

Dogs like to run free. Natural animal behaviour. Are they allowed to? No.

I have perfectly good understanding of the predatory instincts of cats and dogs, however neither should be entitled to act on those instincts at the expense of protected animals.

CelticRambler · 16-05-2021 12:16pm

isha wrote: »

I looked up a vets opinion -

"When an otherwise friendly backyard dog attacks cats who enter their yards, predatory aggression is typically assumed. This type of attack is wholly within the normal context of a predator-prey relationship. Sad as this may be for the cat’s human family, this kind of behavior is considered natural and normal."

That's an American opinion, completely inappropriate for a European situation.

BobbyBolivia wrote: »

Laws regarding cats differ wildly from country to country. In Australia for example the laws regarding cats are much different to here.

Indeed. Here in France, a cat is legally considered to be in its home territory (i.e. not straying, and the owner not subject to sanction) if it is within 1km of its registered address.

isha wrote: »

That sounds ridiculous. The OP has said the dog is a good animal and safe with children etc.

There's another way to look at this: the full name of the breed in question is Labrador Retriever. The Retriever part is important, as these dogs were originally bred to fetch birds, rabbits and other animals that had been shot and bring them back without damaging them. Having a "soft mouth" was - and still is, for active hunters - an important part of the breed's characteristic.

In the hunting community, a Labrador that killed a cat (or any similar-sized animal) would be considered to be a badly bred/trained dog, and not to be trusted. Unfortunately, going back to the American vet's opinion, no matter how "good and safe" he's been up till then, a dog that has rediscovered his "predator-prey" instincts may well try them out later on a child.

Deub · 16-05-2021 12:20pm

BobbyBolivia wrote: »

The dog is clearly not under control if it is potentially killing protected animals.

But the cat hunting protected species in other people properties is clearly under control.

looksee · 16-05-2021 12:22pm

If the cat goes into the neighbour's garden and is cornered by the dog, and the cat (as it very likely will) goes for the dog and gives it a nasty scratch on its nose, or damages an eye, who is responsible then?

As has been said, BobbyBolivia is making up laws to suit their own opinion.

For the record I am a cat owner.

volchitsa · 16-05-2021 12:23pm

BobbyBolivia wrote: »

The dog is clearly not under control if it is potentially killing protected animals.

If a cat comes into my house through an open window and kills my gerbils that I let out of their cage, who is responsible?

If my gerbils escape because I forgot to close the back door, they go next door and get killed by their cat, is that the same situation or is the cat any less to blame since my gerbils went into his territory?

Mimon · 16-05-2021 12:23pm

BobbyBolivia wrote: »

Animal behaviour?

Dogs like to run free. Natural animal behaviour. Are they allowed to? No.

I have perfectly good understanding of the predatory instincts of cats and dogs, however neither should be entitled to act on those instincts at the expense of protected animals.

Yeh run free in their own secure garden and taken for regular walks, under control also. What you are talking about is totally unreasonable. What would you do, have the dog caged or kept inside all the time?

fullstop · 16-05-2021 12:24pm

BobbyBolivia wrote: »

If the cat is killing birds which are protected species then it is certainly a problem yes and action may need to be taken with the appropriate authorites.

The likes of woodmice are not a protected species so there would be no issue there.

Why are you belittling woodmice? Do they not have a right to live? What if the wood mouse is someone’s pet and it strays into a cat owner’s garden and the cat kills it? Should the cat be destroyed?

BobbyBolivia · 16-05-2021 12:25pm

Deub wrote: »

But the cat hunting protected species in other people properties is clearly under control.

I can only go off what the OP has said about the possibility or likelihood that the dog is going to kill the neighbours cat.

In numerous comments before your poorly timed sarcastic effort, I have expressed concern at cats attacking protected species. However as I have also said, if the cat is killing woodmice then there is no issue whatsoever.

I have also expressed the desire for cats to have an enclosed outdoor area upon which to have safe outdoor access. This is not Irish law though.

Another kind of similar example of how you cannot just do what you like to an 'invading protected animal' - If I have bats nesting in my attic, I cannot interfere with them. "But it's my property!" one might say. It doesn't matter a jot. You can only take measures to ensure they won't come back after they have departed the property.

BobbyBolivia · 16-05-2021 12:26pm

fullstop wrote: »

Why are you belittling woodmice? Do they not have a right to live? What if the wood mouse is someone’s pet and it strays into a cat owner’s garden and the cat kills it? Should the cat be destroyed?

They are not a protected species or animal. It's not really that difficult.

I have attempted to give the OP the best advice in line with the law, not aligned with many here who would just hope for there to be no consequences if the dog killed the cat.

OP, my last comment on this issue because it is descending into farce - it will be hard to argue that the dog is not dangerous or to argue that the dog is under control if the dog is killing protected animals or species. You may be able to argue against paying any vet bills - but the neighbour could create a lot of trouble for you under the Control of Dogs Act 1986.

Mimon · 16-05-2021 12:27pm

CelticRambler wrote: »

That's an American opinion, completely inappropriate for a European situation.

Indeed. Here in France, a cat is legally considered to be in its home territory (i.e. not straying, and the owner not subject to sanction) if it is within 1km of its registered address.

There's another way to look at this: the full name of the breed in question is Labrador Retriever. The Retriever part is important, as these dogs were originally bred to fetch birds, rabbits and other animals that had been shot and bring them back without damaging them. Having a "soft mouth" was - and still is, for active hunters - an important part of the breed's characteristic.

In the hunting community, a Labrador that killed a cat (or any similar-sized animal) would be considered to be a badly bred/trained dog, and not to be trusted. Unfortunately, going back to the American vet's opinion, no matter how "good and safe" he's been up till then, a dog that has rediscovered his "predator-prey" instincts may well try them out later on a child.

Load of Baloney to use an American term.

Bruthal. · 16-05-2021 12:27pm

BobbyBolivia wrote: »

If you have proof that cats are attacking protected species then it is certainly something which needs to be addressed.

Yea, I guess the cat will see a bird, and check his protected birds list before mistakenly going out of his owners control 2 miles from their house.

fullstop · 16-05-2021 12:27pm

BobbyBolivia wrote: »

They are not a protected species. It's not really that difficult.

It is. If I had a pet wood mouse and some cat killed it I’d be really sad. But if I let my wood mouse wander into someone else’s property, maybe I’d be to blame...

BobbyBolivia · 16-05-2021 12:29pm

fullstop wrote: »

It is. If I had a pet wood mouse and some cat killed it I’d be really sad. But if I let my wood mouse wander into someone else’s property, maybe I’d be to blame...

They are not a listed protected species.

wench · 16-05-2021 12:30pm

BobbyBolivia wrote: »

If the cat is killing birds which are protected species then it is certainly a problem yes and action may need to be taken with the appropriate authorites.

Can you point us to any reports of such action being taken?

Mimon · 16-05-2021 12:31pm

wench wrote: »

Can you point us to any reports of such action being taken?

Yes, his/her posting has little to do with reality.

ZX7R · 16-05-2021 12:32pm

BobbyBolivia wrote: »

The dog is clearly not under control if it is potentially killing protected animals.

Cats are adored the same protection as any other pets under Irish law, the onus is on the cat owner to provide protection of the cat.
If the cat wanders onto the neighbour's garden and gets killed by there dogs, that is the cat owners responsibly.
I believe some on here are mixing up protected species laws with animal protection laws

daheff · 16-05-2021 12:32pm

Timberrrrrrrr wrote: »

But the dogs are in a secure location and under control, the cat is entering the dogs territory.

Not under control if it kills the cat.

Man Vs ManUre · 16-05-2021 12:32pm

Don’t f#*k with cats.

volchitsa · 16-05-2021 12:33pm

CelticRambler wrote: »

Indeed. Here in France, a cat is legally considered to be in its home territory (i.e. not straying, and the owner not subject to sanction) if it is within 1km of its registered address.

Not subject to sanction for its own actions is one thing, sure - but are you really saying that in France if a cat wanders into a neighbouring garden which has a dog in it (securely fenced in) and the dog attacks the cat, that the dog owners would be responsible for the cat being hurt?

volchitsa · 16-05-2021 12:35pm

ZX7R wrote: »

Cats are adored the same protection as any other pets under Irish law, the onus is on the cat owner to provide protection of the cat.
If the cat wanders onto the neighbour's garden and gets killed by there dogs, that is the cat owners responsibly.
I believe some on here are mixing up protected species laws with animal protection laws

This makes more sense. I notice the poster who says the cat has the right to go wherever it wants hasn't given any evidence in the form of links to actual laws or court cases.

Bruthal. · 16-05-2021 12:35pm

BobbyBolivia wrote: »

They are not a listed protected species.

What if the cat is about to kill a protected bird, and the neighbour's dog kills the cat, saving the bird?

Timberrrrrrrr · 16-05-2021 12:35pm

BobbyBolivia wrote: »

Hey it's my own garden and the dog can do what he likes there! This line of reasoning is absolute nonsense.

If the dog kills the cat then I don't see how it justifiably won't be classed as dangerous by a warden or judge if needed be.

If the dog somehow managed to get hold of a bat that went onto the property it would be the exact same thing. Or a red squirrel, or a brown or mountain hare. Just because the dog is on your property and another animal enters the property doesn't mean a bloody thing. All of those are protected or endangered species and if I saw a dog killing one of them then the warden would be contacted.

Read.my post again, I agree with you, if the cat gets injured/killed the blame is not yours or the dogs.

Timberrrrrrrr · 16-05-2021 12:36pm

BobbyBolivia wrote: »

The dog is clearly not under control if it is potentially killing protected animals.

Would you feel the same.if the dog bit a burglar?

Mimon · 16-05-2021 12:36pm

Bruthal. wrote: »

What if the cat is about to kill a protected bird, and the neighbour's dog kills the cat, saving the bird?

:D

Sparkey84 · 16-05-2021 12:40pm

BobbyBolivia wrote: »

The dog is clearly not under control if it is potentially killing protected animals.

would the cat be labelled out of control for killing a mouse?

i see that question already raised.

My dog, my garden and neighbours cat

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